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Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Young's Point marks 150-year milestone

Bishop Daniel J. Miehm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough delivers the homily celebrating the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Friday August 11, 2017 in Young's Point, Ont. Over 200 people attended a mass joined with dignitaries, and parishioners marking the historic event. Remarks to celebrate the occasion included Bishop Daniel Miehm, Fr. Peter Selvaraj, Deputy Warden of Peterborough County Mary Smith, Mayor Sherry Senis of Selwyn Township and a poem read by parishioner Mary Dutchuk. Father Keith Wallace was the MC and closing remarks came from chairwoman Maryellen Hearns of OLGC Restoration Committee. CLIFFORD SKARSTEDT/PETERBOROUGH EXAMINER/POSTMEDIA NETWORK

Bishop Daniel J. Miehm of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough was on hand to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Friday in Young's Point, north of Lakefield in Selwyn Township.

More than 200 people attended a mass as dignitaries and parishioners marked the milestone.

A poem was read by parishioner Mary Dutchuk. Rev. Keith Wallace was the master of ceremonies and closing remarks came from Maryellen Hearns, chairwoman of the church's Restoration Committee.

The church has undergone extensive restoration work over the past 18 years. More restoration work is being planned. The committee raises the money required first before any restoration work is undertaken.

The church's history dates back to 1856 when Francis Young II, and his wife Mary Howran, donated two acres of land to the Diocese of Kingston for use as a cemetery. Young was the son of Francis Young, originally from Tipperary, Ireland, who founded the hamlet as the first settler in 1825.

Families in the area began building the church in 1865 on the site. It was completed and dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1867 and was originally called St. Mary's Church.